'Emergencies' resume at City Hall

Court ruling means they can't be challenged via referendum

6:57 PM,
Jun. 12, 2013

Council chambers for Cincinnati City Hall

Written by

Jane Prendergast

Hours after an appeals court decided Wednesday that Cincinnati can go forward with its parking lease, City Council went right back to its 90-year-old ways and approved six ordinances as emergencies.

The emergency clause and council's common use of it became a side topic in the months-long debate over whether the city should lease its parking meters, lots and garages for $92 million upfront.

Without an emergency clause attached, an ordinance waits 30 days to take effect, giving time for opponents to collect enough signatures to put the issue on the ballot for voters to possibly stop what ...